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For a dog that draws away from the judge I will hold the check-chain in my right hand, lead gathered up with it as well held above the dogs head as though you are carrying a bucket and with just a finger (left hand) put slight pressure on the off-show side beside tail.

For a dog that is going thru a phase of not liking it's mouth being touched or draws away from the judge (some dogs go thru a phase about 9-10mth old) I ask the judge if they wouldn't mind starting at the shoulder. This seems to break the pattern and relax the dog.

Occy, what was I right about?

REALLY good advice...will use that...THANK YOU!!!

My girl is 8 months and a bit iffy with others touching her and her mouth...so heaps of treat (big chunks) might help too. It takes a bit of work to get ear actions with her, but have found if I hold a hard liver treat away from her in my right hand and snap it just as the judge walks by...I get definite ear set actions...the snap sound works on her.

I used this for practice for years and now client/friends find it very helpful.

I also had to retrain myself as stacking on a table (whippets), especially if you are not a tall person, takes some getting used to.

Another method I use to move the feet is rocking - holding the treat from side to side so that the dog picks up their feet. Bridge and reward in the correct position. Using you foot to nudge the rear legs is also something I do.

The velcro pouches are pretty good too. Lots of people use them so you can get expression at different times even if its not your food pouch that is being opened. They cost $5 at the show caravans, sit nice and flat.

I also do not over train a "flat" dog. An excitable, kiss the judge dog yes, but not the I'd rather be home playing ball type.

When I used to show Jethro he was the worst, as soon as the judge would walk in to check the mouth he would be licking with his tongue out as far as it would go to try and get the judges face, then when the judge went around to go over the body Jethro would try and lean against the Judge! It was very funny to watch but embarrassing for me as the person showing!! LOL!

Yeah my best Kelpie girl was like that and she couldn't stand still for a minute either, but she had beautiful confirmation and would place her self nicely no matter what, so I let her fidget to show that she didn't need me to stack her.

Her and her brother were real show-ponies. She loved balls and I would clip her favorite yellow ball to my belt and she would gait with her head in the air, which isn't what I'd call good gaiting, but it's what the judges want.

I'd still much rather have the fidget/kissy type any day over the "I don't want to play this stupid show game anymore".

She head-butted a judge once going in for the kiss the same time he bent down, very humiliating.

Yeah my best Kelpie girl was like that and she couldn't stand still for a minute either, but she had beautiful confirmation and would place her self nicely no matter what, so I let her fidget to show that she didn't need me to stack her.

Her and her brother were real show-ponies. She loved balls and I would clip her favorite yellow ball to my belt and she would gait with her head in the air, which isn't what I'd call good gaiting, but it's what the judges want.

I'd still much rather have the fidget/kissy type any day over the "I don't want to play this stupid show game anymore".

She head-butted a judge once going in for the kiss the same time he bent down, very humiliating.

I would LOVE to be able to get my girl's head up...she stretches out like a true terrier...fast trotting with the attitude....out of my way...I am running here!!!